Do you love jewelry, especially rings, but you just can’t justify the time to search for what you really love nor want to spend the money for a designer to make you one?  Well, do the next best thing – make it yourself!  This might seem to be a tall order but with some instruction, you will not only create exactly what you want, but discover a new talent and add some new creative enjoyment to your life.

Wire Sculpture provides instructional jewelry making DVDs for you to quickly learn how to make wire jewelry rings, wrapping wire with stones and beads.  You will learn how to mix wire colors for stunning results, how to make tight rosettes, as well as tease and connect methods – all easily with step by step instructions.

The wire jewelry expert presenting on the DVDs is Dale “Cougar” Armstrong, a many-year veteran of creating and teaching wire jewelry techniques.  She teaches systematically, building on learning with the goal of advancing abilities with each step.  She shows easy ways also, to achieve results such as how to create the correct prong lengths and how to make shapes that fit faceted stones.  She also demonstrates how to use tools, offers information on cut stone terminology and provides sizing formulas so you get it right every time.

Included with the instructional DVDs are formula cards and written follow-up directions for each and every project so that you have the confidence to create beautiful, unique wire jewelry rings.  You also get bonus items such as a project photo album that contains pictures of each project, both back and front views, in large detail.

Whether you are a beginner or intermediate wire jewelry designer, the wire jewelry instructional videos are for you.  This is a brand new DVD set, just released and was produced in high definition (HD) quality.

So, whether you are looking to create rings for yourself to match various fashion pieces in your closet, or rings as gift items for the holidays, order your DVD now and get started.  You’ll find that creating rings will be very satisfying to your need to be creative!

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New high quality DVD’s have been released with Dale “Cougar” Armstrong as the Instructor – teaching all of us her secrets about wire jewelry making.  Order one by one or by the bundle – you can’t find any wire jewelry making instruction at this level, anywhere!

Why, because I know the producers – they do everything with elegance including the quality of production, picking the right “voice” for the project, and assembling the content into a cohesive and easy-to-learn model.  Learning something new is best taught by those who have the product knowledge and teaching experience – hence why Dale was chosen.

Ms. Armstrong’s new book is out as well – “Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping.”  You may elect to go with the written word but honestly, the ease of learning with a DVD is incomparable – and hence I recommend, if you are a beginner, to start with the entire beginner series (that includes some bonus DVDs).  And of course, buy the book too!

Within this series Dale teaches each project on every DVD exactly as she does in the classroom. Each DVD project teaches the skills and techniques necessary to work from one project into the next, progressing from learning how to straighten, bundle and properly wrap with square wire, to hand shaping and how to properly size and resize pieces.

By purchasing the entire Beginner Series and working through them in order, beginning with Part 1 All Wire Unisex Bracelet and ending with Bonus Part 9 Crystal Finger Bauble, it’s like being in a week long workshop!  This beginner series features 19 different projects, including rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and a collar.  Dale also discusses the formulas used and shows project variations so you can incorporate the techniques taught into your own designs.

Dale turns wire “wrappers” into wire “jewelry artists”, encouraging each student to discover and then to develop their own personal style.

So, get yourself lined up with DVDs to learn from, some jewelry making supplies to get started with – winter’s coming and you’ll be glad to indulge yourself in this fun learning experience!

Have fun!

Alexandrea Day

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Talent of any kind is not innate but as a result of practicing an aptitude until a level of achievement demonstrates expertise – and hence then, is an artist born.  The same can also be said of becoming a wire jewelry artist – you’re not born one, you develop yourself into being one.

What then are the steps?  First of all, you need to discover if you have an innate talent for creating “things” with your hands that match what you envision in your mind.  Many would love to be an artist, painting murals or figurines, even pottery or designing glass sculpture.  But, if you can not realize through your hands what you see in your mind, you don’t have the artist access required to become that artist.

There is also the requirement, when working with wire jewelry, to be able to think in 3D.  Why?  Because the craft of making wire jewelry requires thinking in dimensions, placement, color and texture.  Without being able to integrate all of these elements, it is difficult to be this kind of artist.

If you have some innate talent as described above, then you are ripe to become an artist at wire jewelry making.  The next step is then to practice it.  Practicing each step then is what is necessary – first practicing the art through another expert’s knowledge either in a course or through reading / video demonstrations.  Follow the instructions and then reach beyond them adding in your innate knowing to improve upon the piece.  Continue to improve upon what you learn.

Finally, after you have repeatedly learned and followed good techniques and expanded upon them to make them your own, you are ready to start designing your own pieces from within yourself.  Start small and build upon it.  Then get feedback from an expert.  Find encouragement.  Learn about yourself and find out exactly where your “sweet spot” is.

At the end of the day and about 10 years later you will be a wire jewelry expert with a reputation and a following.  Experts aren’t born.  They are developed and it does take about 10 years to become one, in any field…most of all enjoy your journey there!

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If you’re feeling the urge to make some wire jewelry and have never done it before, you’ll want your first project to be successful.  I know when I first started I went out and bought all sorts of beautiful things to make a necklace – just because the materials inspired me.  I spent quite a bit of money and the result was a lot less than what I’d hoped for.  Why?  I couldn’t craft what I had envisioned in my mind because I had no experience.

So, I recommend that you find a wire jewelry pattern kit with instructions to create your first piece.  With this success under your belt you’ll have the confidence to try out new things.  But, keep on learning, one piece at a time, adding in new materials / supplies and techniques you learn along the way.

Be sure to learn the terminology as well so that when you do read books or articles you understand what is being discussed.  Study how wire jewelry making supplies are used, such as the size and shape of wire – which specifications are best used for the jewelry you want to create.

Finally, stick with a plan on each piece after your first.  Taking a pile of leftovers and trying to make jewelry will probably not have the result you want.  It’s best to plan, purchase wire jewelry supplies, and then set aside the time to do it.  Why not stick with patterns and then do some modifications to them to learn more.

Take a class from a local expert or invest in your jewelry making hobby by purchasing a DVD or eBook on the subject – there are many!

The key however, is to have each creation be an enjoyable experience and not one of frustration.  This approach is important in any new hobby.  You can always buy a bunch of supplies to get started, but without a plan and pattern to follow you will probably be disappointed with the outcome!  Happy wire jewelry making!

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It’s easy in life to get bogged down with the essentials of homemaking, childcare, and paying the bills.  It’s not so easy to do something for yourself let alone take up a hobby just for fun!  So, this article is to help you see the intrinsic value of such a decision to offset the tangible objections that probably pop into your head about why you “shouldn’t” – such as, “It costs too much,” or “I don’t have time.”

Hobbies, by definition, are purely for personal enjoyment.  This means that there is no goal of gaining monetarily or knowledge-wise.  It’s just for the fun of it.  So then, why have fun?  Fun is a stress-reliever because when a person is in the act of fun, he/she is not dwelling on problems or worries.  So, to start off, a very high intrinsic value is found in stress relief.

Beyond stress reduction is the boost in self-esteem that a hobby can give the partaker.  When a skill is mastered or a new level of experience is reached, the resulting emotion is that of achievement. This then in turn makes a person improve their opinion of themselves.

Finally, the type of hobby you may choose is what delivers the greatest value by providing a medium for expressing inner thoughts, feelings, and talents that a person may not even know exist.  As an example, selecting wire jewelry making as the hobby, it is a craft rooted in ancient civilizations that suggests the person is inspired by beauty and adornment.  This is a hobby that provides artistic stimulation and jewelry pieces that can be worn by the hobbyist, shared with friends or given as gifts that will be cherished for a very long time.

So, let’s look deeper at why selecting wire jewelry making is a good hobby choice and then jump right in.  First of all, let’s look at the “costs too much,” objection.  If you are a beginner, start with instructions first; read books and watch DVD’s on various wire jewelry making ideas.  This will cost you very little.

Next you will want to graduate to buying a starter kit that will get your hands into the work of making wire jewelry.  Starter kits are all under $100 and will supply you with materials, instructions and tools to further your learning.  And of course, learning never stops – so be sure to read free blogs and get tips that answer your questions.  After you’ve reached this level then it’s time to invest in wire jewelry making supplies.  Be sure to buy your supplies from a company that has a 30-day money back guarantee in the event you buy something that you want to return or exchange.  Take your time and get advice about what to buy as you begin your hobby.  Taking a class locally is always great fun and a good experience as you’ll meet other wire jewelry hobbyists that share your passion.

If you have the objection that you don’t have time then the best thing to do is make time by eliminating something in your life that is of less value to you such as “sleeping in,” or watching TV.

Finally, be sure to keep it a hobby by immersing yourself in it for fun, relaxation, joy and personal growth.  There really is no excuse not having a hobby – they are always around us, pick one!

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